Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Seeing it already being set up there... well, the feeling sank in somehow. You know... the one that says, "Hey, you ARE getting married..!"

That's MY bed there. That wardrobe will eventually house my clothes... That master bedroom (that the parents insisted on giving up for us) will be MY room....

And the feeling..? It's sad.

Cos my parents came along and they were there looking at the daughter's new bedroom in a place that's not OUR home. Their daughter's OWN bed. OWN bedroom. Albeit having to share it with a certain someone, of course.

Those who know me well, will understand the significance of the above paragraph...

Ok, ok. Back to happier things.

It was really hot that day. Braved the glaring sun, I looked up to see this.

Cloudless sky.

No wonder! I imagine the night will be sooo cold with a sky like this. Just like in the deserts.

Beautiful, nonetheless.

Which brings to mind the song that's playing over and over in my head since I watched the movie.

Friday, February 20, 2009

It all started on a day during the chinese new year holiday period, when my bro had asked that I send him to work.

Since he start work at 8am, I end up having much free time at that hour. So I ordered McD's breakfast at the drive-thru.

And had it wayyy near the end of East Coast Park, very near the lorry parking at Area F.

I sat cross-legged on one of the stone benches by the small road with music blasting from my car stereo.

It's funny that I'm looking at active, health-conscious people having their morning jog/cycle/walk and there I was, eating McD's BIG Breakfast. Oh, how nice.

Then I realised that's when I get to really languish in some 'me' time. Just me, myself & I with the sun, sand & sea... Aahhhhh...

I had always thought that I might not be able to do this EVER again, seeing that the only time that I can drive my car out on the weekends is on Sunday and I have my weekly appointments with my masseuse then.....

...Unless.... I get up early, that is. Then again, waking up early on Sunday will mean sending my bro to work... Then I have only around an hour to head to ECP, buy breakfast, have breakfast AND head to my masseuse's place.

What's a lil' sacrifice if it means that I have some time for myself..? Besides, do you know just how fun it is to hit the road on that hour on Sunday morning....? The ECP seems to be all mine! How often do you get the road to yourself like that? I can drive for more than a km in the KPE tunnel without seeing another vehicle on that stretch.

Anyway, whenever I end up being in a hurry, I just park head-first at the hawker centre carpark, where it's the nearest to the beach, hence a getting myself a good view. Then I just open all the windows and start feasting.

When I thought of taking pictures, I lost my camera.

When I already buy a new one and the weather was fine, I forgot the camera.

When I finally remembered the camera, the haze started. %&$#!

That particular day, my masseuse pushed the appointment an hour later than usual so I had ample time for a more leisurely breakfast. And photo-taking.

Beach in the morning (east).

Beach in the morning (west).

Darn the haze!

My breakfast by the beach (look, airplane!).

Sun, sand sea. Due to the haze, the sun didn't penetrate much, making it more comfortable to stay out. Or so I thought...

I later realised that there's a stark contrast (tan line) between my upper arm, which was covered and my lower arm, which was exposed. And I thought that the sun wasn't too bad. Pfft!

my BK breakfast.

I'm starting to favour this over McD's version. Must be those lil' hash browns. It's quite a delight to pop these into my mouth, one at a time. Such little bites!

a guy, warming up on the water-breaker.

This guy, he got nearer and nearer as he did his stretches to a point that it got a tad uncomfortable. A bit masochistic, this fella. Expect me to see his rippling muscles, is it?

couple, fishing

It's sweet isn't it? A couple in their golden years, enjoying some leisurely time, doing what they like together.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Come to think of it, they did suggest having some (male) strippers over but I casually turned them down. Unless they can get me the F4 from the Korean version of Boy Over Flowers, I won't have any of it. Hah!

It's all good, clean fun (really!).

Having 3 guys 'serenade' you during a karaoke session was quite an experience, no?? Heh. More like, we were terrorising one another with our atrocious singing. Well, save for Kai, who's pretty experienced in karaoke-ing so he has pretty much honed his singing prowess.

The reason behind my voice's increasing pitch as the night gets later is still a mystery (it's true, it gets squeakier!). That means, singing at night should have been a big no-no for me.

It's quite a sight for the people outside, when they looked into our room and saw 3 guys and a girl singing/screaming + dancing/booty-shaking to Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive', ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' and more. Some of us had pizza in one hand and chicken drumlet in another.

And clumsy me had to spill some water on the floor, making the jig even more challenging what with it being slippery and all...

3 hours passed, just like that.

We then we trooped over to their fave haunt and I got down to yet another favourite pastime of mine, people-watching (more like 'cuci mata').

Reached home past 2am. Given a choice, I wanna reach home an hour later. Me thinks, driving at the wee hours of morning has got to be one of the greatest joys in my life.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Sue and I, we had collaborated with another cousin, Ate (ah-ti) to plan a (very) belated birthday surprise for Imah. There's always a birthday celebration of sorts on every New Year (the first 100 to be born on that decade!), seeing that it's a public holiday and everyone was able to make time for it. This year however, that event was absent somehow.

Even though this celebration was 23 days late, at least it's still on the same month. Will do.

The plan was to bring her to Marina Barrage post-dinner and venture to the roof garden, where we'll 'accidentally' bump into Ate & family. Ate will be the one bringing the cake.

And so we tried to look for Ate & family in that dimly lit place, while trying to act cool at the same time, like we're not anticipating anything.

Then... "Eh, what are you doing here?!""Just chilling with my family. You guys just arrive? Where were you from?""Oh, we had dinner at Marina Square and came here to check out the place.""Wow, never expect to see you here!"

Yeah right..!

Of course Imah got suspicious but we convinced her that it was all a coincidence. Sometime later, I took her further down for some 'photo-taking' while Sue and Ate get the cake ready.

Imah had this inkling that something sneaky was going on and strutted back to where Ate was.

Tadaaa!

The lighting was sooo dim there that we have to shine a torch on it to see what the cake looked like.

Chocolate Marquise cake from Prima Deli.

Yes, that strawberry belonged to the centre... Can see the imprint, can you?

Cake cutting

Since we're too shy (ahaks!) to sing a proper birthday song in public, Ate played one from her handphone, a pre-recorded version that's sung by her little daughter.

Real cute!

Nah kau!(Take that!)

The obligatory 'feeding' ceremony followed by....

*Bam!*

....Some chocolate cream facial.

Now, stick out you tongue and lick around your lips.. What as waste of good cream! Hah!

Despite leaving the place at midnight, it was still teeming with people, young and old alike. In fact, as I drove out of the car park, I see more driving in!

Guess it's another new 'night haunt' for Singaporeans on weekends. I wonder what time they sleep. Those kids especially...

Have you been to the airport past midnight on weekends? The whole place is like a heee-yuuge playground! Most of the kids are in their PJs, rolling around the floor (I know Changi Airport is very clean but...)

I guess the parents want them to tire them out and just tuck them into bed upon reaching home...-------------------------------------------

Next are pics that I've taken while I was goofing around with the camera's night mode.

The setting at Marina Barrage, what with the dim surroundings and lots of colourful spot lighting. It's a good location to get funky effects in the photos taken, due to the slow shutter speed (esp. with the Olympus).

That's actually Imah in the background. Her face totally covered by the light 'squiggles'.

Those colourful spotlights in the dark fountain was such a delight to play around with.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Was about to send my bro to work early Sunday morning. I was adjusting the passenger seat when bro bro started to accelerate, causing my seat to roll all the way back.

Grumbling under my breath, I looked down, trying to reach for the seat lever again when I saw that long-missing black pouch lying tacitly right underneath the former position of the seat.

*Gasp!* MY CAMERAAAAA!!!!!!

Needless to say, I was a happy camper early that Sunday morning. Frankly, I'm just more relieved that no one else got hold of my pictures.... Seriously!

So here goes.. The loooong overdue pictures from 23rd Jan. Pics that I didn't manage to upload before that Olympus decided to go M.I.A from me.

I didn't know what the occasion was. I think I owed my cousin Imah (or Zahrah as she calls herself) the birthday bag which I had kept for almost 3 weeks since her birthday on New Year. And I think I also owe her a birthday treat.

Take it as an excuse to spend the Friday night out of the office. Dinner was at Secret Recipe - Marina Square.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

I feel like these japanese movies are making my tears seem cheap somehow. The way they flow so freely when watching these shows...

I had always wanted to watch this movie for 1 reason: It starred Satoshi Tsumabuki, one of my fave Japanese actor, both for looks and talent.

Sue & Sri, remember when we were in HK, I never failed to stop in front of the Nada Sou Sou posters whenever I saw them in the MTR stations? To think that I only remember to watch it now.

I didn't think much about this movie. All I know that it's about a bro and sister and their struggle to live.

Turns out there's more to it than meets the eye.

A story that start on a somber note, then become upbeat and lively. And then it went back down into the shadows. Even then, I didn't expect such an ending.

It's like being thrust forward into the path of an oncoming truck, the headlights blinding you. And the next thing you feel is just pain. Lots of it.

Imagine how hard I cried. Sigh, I'm becoming more and more emo like that. Know what? Go and watch the movie if you want. I assure you it's good.

Here's the ending that made me broke down. It had to be that song, la. Despite it being a tradional Japanese music, I was just soooo drawn to that poignant singing. The strain in the singer's voice just tells you how much sadness and pain is in that song.

This is a quote from a youtube user:"Imagine someone sacrificed a lot for you.You owed em (sic) a lot but by the time you wish cherish and show gratitude and love, that person died."

Saturday, February 14, 2009

I finally got to meet up with a dear friend, 'S' (she's a rather low-profile person, so let's just stick to the initial, shall we?).

With us, it's either East Coast Park or Changi Airport.

Hungry as we were that night, we settled for Swensens's to have a decent meal. It may just be my last meet-up with her with me still keeping my 'single' status, after all.

Well, all those times we spent together, just rambling on and on about random things that struck a chord with only us. Topics may vary from travel ideas, Hollywood gossip, movies, music etc. We were contented just doing simple things and going only to places that we really like, which are what was mentioned above.

We used to like the Old Merlion spot near the Waterboat House. Well, until we discovered that there are geckos crawling on the timber floorboards....

Talking about the Waterboat House, we once hoard dreams of residing in that quaint building. It had looked so desolate, then. But we can see the beauty behind that dull white facade. We imagined have afternoon tea on the roof, enjoying the sun and breeze . . .

Of course that was long before it was eventually revamped to house that souvenir shop and famous French restaurant ...

... I think I've strayed too much from the initial topic. Sigh, such nostalgia....

testing the new cam.

Anyway, Swensen's was having this Valentine's Day promotion where a 4-course meal will only set us back $68++ (not inclusive of SC & GST).

While I pondered on what I should have, the friendly manager came over and informed us, "Since the price it's fixed, you should order the most expensive item on the menu. Worth it."

Which is so darn true.

So order the Rib-Eye Steak, I did. Hehe. Me love meat! S stuck to her choice of pasta. She's a self-declared vegan, by the way.

Our side of deep-fried mushroom.

Seeing this made me miss the one from Zingdo. Theirs had mushrooms of different varieties...

S's order of Black Pepper Pasta w/ Mushrooms.

If you wonder why this isn't in the menu, it's because this was a special order. The actual dish was the Black Pepper Seafood Pasta. But S had requested that no seafood be added. Only mushrooms aka vegetarian.

And oh, make it extra spicy, please.

My order of the Rib-Eye Steak - done medium.

They gave me medium-well instead of simply medium but I'm fine with it. As long as the meat ain't tough to the bite.

Steaks are usually served with seasonal vegetables and I'm glad to see the Dou Miao (pea shoots) on my plate. Those little greens were just so crunchy yet tender. And sweet.

The squash and carrots are kinda bland. But the baked potato totally rocked. I still prefer the ones served at Eatzi, though.

Yoghurt smoothie ~ my Berries-Merry

Berries & Apple Juice. S had the Strawberry-Kiwi.

Don't you just wonder, where the yoghurt was? The thin consistency was so unlike a smoothie. I take it that it's supposed to be similar to the Indian lassi...

Look at the pic. The whole cake was obviously still in frozen state (read: really hard!). Check out all that frost! We almost thought them to be icing sugar.

After 15 minutes, the ice-cream was still impenetrable (the knife can't even cut through!) so we just dug out the berries first.

They should have taken note when our when our main course was served that they should have already brought the cake out of the freezer by then. Thankfully, we had a lot of time on our hands. What if we had been in a rush?

halfway through eating digging the cake

When the cake was first served, we initially thought it to be too big for us both. Initially.

But all that endless conversation while plunging our forks into this eventually made us realise that it's not impossible to finish it up after all!

Free balloons.

The whole deal includes free photo-taking and printing, where they'll put the pic in a customised cardboard frame.

Also a discount coupon and free heart-shaped balloons.

S is horribly camera-shy and is pissed that the manager kept asking when we'll like to have our photo taken. She had vehemently refused.

The amused manager eventually gave us one balloon each. We're supposed to get only one, actually.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Almost spent the remainder of last night bawling my eyes out. Well, not that I was being emo or anything (which I'm pretty much prone to, nowdays).

It's really amazing, how such a beautiful movie can be so sad. And how a sad movie can be so... beautiful.

**Spoilers ahead!

I ask you, huh...

A: When someone is dying, and writes a diary, what will it be about?B: And if that dying person keeps a camera, what pictures will he take?

answersA: His lover. He wrote about what she's doing, what he saw her doing.... Anything and everything about her.B: Oh you get the drift. It's obviously ALL her in the camera. Her while sleeping. While laughing. And candid shots taken when she's unaware. Oh, and her with the sky as the backdrop.

There was nothing about himself that he recorded. Funnily enough. None.

Hiro: Where do humans go after they die? Mika: Heaven. Hiro: I want to be the sky. So I always know where you are (and protect you). Mika: Like a stalker. [Hiro smiles] Mika: Clear skies will mean you are happy. A rainy day will mean you are crying. Sunset means you are embarrassed (blushing). A night sky will mean you are gently holding me....

Monday, February 09, 2009

Yesterday, after my lulur (Indonesia body scrub) & massage session ended at 1130 and all the way till 2300, I went to visit 11 different houses with my parents. ELEVEN.

Thankfully, they were constrained within the Jurong-Choa Chu Kang (western) region.

I was so darn tired and stuffed that I refused to go to the last 2 houses and remained in the car instead. Most of the houses, we just spring a surprise and call on them without informing in advance, fearing that they'll prepare something (the beauty of the Malay culture). Even then, all that tea and coffee almost made me sick.

Funny huh..? The bride-to-be herself sending out the wedding invites...?

Thankfully there were no more elders on my dad's side. Cos' my mums side is just so full of them! And it's only right that we pay them due respect and hand out the invites to them personally. Seeing how touched they were by our gesture beats all that inconvenience and hassle.

Funnily, some of them even remarked, "You shouldn't be going out much now..." (it's like a taboo in the Malay culture for the bride-to-be to go out at night or even go out much when her wedding looms near).

Haha. Yeah right! I still have 2 hen-nights to go to. And I doubt I'll be home early after that. And not counting the nights I've been keeping, working late at the office....

Seeing how excited they were, brings to mind the fact that I'm pretty much still listness, as a bride-to-be. MOH and I, we aren't anxious, despite it being less than a month to the big day. Well, not yet anyway...

Maybe because our parents are the ones playing the major role in this event.

My mum just brought on the issue of where I'll be staying right after the wedding. Both of us had assumed that we'll just return straight to his place (my future home), seeing that my 3-room flat won't really be able to accomodate us 5 comfortably.

Many remarked that brides usually stayed on at her own home for a certain period but I brushed that aside. Little do I expect that my mom held to that belief too. I didn't know it but it's meant to be a transition period for the bride to get accustomed to married life while still comfortably in the midst of her own family.

The bride's family will slowly learn to her let go as she moves on to a new life with a new family and they continue to live on without her presence in that house.

omg. Why and I crying as I type this? I can't see the screen through these tears...

ANYWAY... So this morning, I overheard my mum's conversation with my future mum-in-law and the way it sounds, my mum seems to be negotiating for me to remain at home for a month or so.

I had to bring this up to MOH cos' we've discussed about this and we safely assumed that to return to his place straightaway will be best. So I gingerly informed him about our mums' conversation.

Thankfully, he replied positively, "Oh, anyway I didn't mind. After honeymoon den (sic) we stay at ur house 4 a while, k."

Alhamdulillah. Boy, am I so glad that he's capable of blowing me away with his maturity and comprehensible understanding sometimes.

I'm still thinking about whre my parents and bro will be sleeping in that small flat of mine.... Guess where there's a will, there's a way. I believe my mum will think of something...

Sunday, February 08, 2009

I ain't got that much time to read the manual for my new cam. Seriously, I ought to. A different brand with more features (mostly hidden), it's what I need to do to get really acquainted with my new baby.

The one time I tried reading it, I actually SLEPT after a few flips of the pages. The last time that happened was when I read another manual. I seriously am not a manual-sorta' person, la. That's why I only discovered this-and-that functions on my previous cam only after 1 year of owning it. And it's usually when another person used it and pointed them out to me... pfft!

Hopeless..!

And now, most of the details on the camera features are in pdf format so I have to load the given cd-rom to view it. **more laziness ensues....

So I just tinkle around with the buttons and dials (not that there's much anyway).

And discovered this..!

note the texture of my bro's facial complexion.

All I did was to switch to the next available mode.

voila! a smooth complexion.

Nope, not photoshopped. Looks like works done for magazine shots, doesn't it? Ah, the beauty of face recognition... Me like!

Now, it's time to check the macro mode.

I have been much awed by the 'super-macro' mode of the Olympus. Yes, I may have slammed the credibilty of that brand but it's does give good shots with good light (which cam doesn't?). And the super-macro mode is what drew me to be a budding 'flogger'.

I have to tolerate some unnecessary image noise, at times. Especially with group pics, which can be pretty frustrating. I mean, group pics are supposed to turn out well, for memories sake! Darn the 'indoor' mode!

Yeah, so I used the base of a rug as object. I need to see how the textures of the weaving will appear.

taken with flash.

without flash.

Kinda' liked it. Seems good enough for for me.

And lastly.. how can I miss this one out...?

Food pics.

it did turn out... nice. but something seems lacking.

Darn! I wish my other cam when with me when I took that shot so that I can make a comparison! Aargh!

I tried to increase the contrast but I can't do much before the image noise became too obvious. Need to try on bigger platters instead of a single, small object.

Oh, that Portugese egg tart was something that I've been yearning for since last week. Sri, my colleague can vouch for that. Kept mentioning it when I got bored in the office.

Was taken by surprise when mum offered to get this for me at Tesco Extra (Plentong, JB). I mean, she's been watching my diet so far and for her to offer me these sinful stuff...?

How can I resist..? Oooh, that flaky pastry base. And that deep, rich taste of the cream.... I miss crème brûlée, suddenly. Geez..! The things you yearn for when you're watching what you eat...!

Aaaah...! Nvm... A few more weeks.. Only a few more weeks and I'm gonna have all I want on my honeymoon! Heheh!